HONG KONG, China (AFP) — Ka Ying Rising cemented his place as the world’s best sprinter on Sunday, landing a 12th-straight victory in Hong Kong to snare the Group One Chairman’s Sprint Prize over 1,200m.

The four-year-old superstar was one of two local feature winners on FWD Champions Day at the Sha Tin racecourse.

Fellow Hong Kong horse Red Lion produced the shock of the day with a 90-1 success in the Group One Champions Mile.

Tastiera flew the flag for Japan by taking out the Group One QE II Cup over 2,000m.

The David Hayes-trained Ka Ying Rising toyed with his high-class rivals to land his fourth elite-level success in emphatic style.

It earned his connections a HK$5-million(US$644,000) Hong Kong Speed Series bonus after previous victories in the Group One Centenary Sprint Cup (1,200m) and Group One Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup (1,400m).

“What more can you say? Every time you come out here, he produces something special,” said victorious jockey Zac Purton after Ka Ying Rising’s record-equalling eighth win of the season.

“He did that again today and he didn’t even change his leg. He puts them away very quickly.”

Purton was able to ease down at the line and still won by a dominant three lengths from top Japanese raider Satono Reve.

“Once again, he was brilliant. He’s getting better and better. He’s had a long season, he’s been exceptional all the way through, and it’s a good way to finish it,” said the Australian jockey.

The John Size-trained Red Lion shocked punters with the narrowest of victories in the Champions Mile, surviving a protest from the connections of hot favourite Voyage Bubble to prevent that galloper from bagging a fourth Group One win of the campaign.

“Congratulations to John and the ownership group because he’s such a consistent horse and he’s a worthy Group One winner, but I’m a bit lost for words to be honest,” said jockey Hugh Bowman after Red Lion became the longest-priced winner of the Champions Mile.

“It’s fantastic. He’s a very consistent, courageous horse. Having had the opportunity to ride him a few times, I had the confidence in him. I’m just so proud of him.”

Making his second trip to Hong Kong after running third behind Romantic Warrior in December’s Group One Hong Kong Cup (2,000m), the heavily backed Tastiera led in a Japanese one-two with a length-and-three-quarter success over
Prognosis.

“Noriyuki Hori is an amazing conditioner of horses and this horse is just a star. It’s just a privilege,” said jockey Damian Lane.

“It’s what it’s all about. I just feel privileged and lucky to be here on these days, let alone having great chances on these horses.

“It is what being a jockey is all about, competing in these big international carnivals. It’s very rewarding.”